More than 20 years later, he pastors what Christianity Today calls “one of America’s fastest growing mega-churches.” The Potter’s House, a multiracial nondenominational church with 59 active outreach ministries, has dominated church growth records since 1996. In only eight years since relocating the church from West Virginia to Dallas, The Potter’s House has grown from 50 families to more than 28,000 members to date. Rivaling many corporations, The Potter’s House employs more than 300 staff members including full-time finance, human relations, information technology, materials distribution, public relations and television production departments. The Potter’s House is fiscally sound, having recently paid off its newest $45 million, 191,000 sq. ft. structure that was completed less than four years ago.
Bishop Jakes was born on June 9, 1957 in South Charleston, W.Va. His parents, businessman and entrepreneur Ernest Sr. and educator Odith, were charitable benefactors in their community and to whom their son credits for his own integrity, discipline and selfreliance. Bishop Jakes is the CEO of The Potter’s House, a nonprofit organization that produces three major national conferences – “The Pastor’s and Leadership Conference,” “ManPower” and “Woman, Thou Art Loosed.” WTAL, a powerful and popular symposium, addresses specific needs of all women and has helped many go from welfare to work. The conference has set national indoor attendance records with an average of 84,500 attendees per day at the Georgia Dome in 1999. “ManPower,” equips and encourages men to build strong marriages, increase their confidence and take on more responsibility in their community. “Mega Fest” is a family affair combining “Woman, Thou Art Loosed,” “ManPower” and the “Youth 3-D Experience,” a new youth conference. This summer, Mega Fest attracted more than 140,000 people from 55 countries and set a cumulative record attendance of 560,000 over the four-day period. Through broadcasting efforts, Mega Fest impacted more than 314 million homes in 235 countries and territories outside of the U.S. Mega Fest 2005 is scheduled August 3 – 6 in Atlanta, Georgia.
In addition to the major conferences, Bishop Jakes hosts the God’s Leading Ladies conference, which is designed to help women in leadership positions to develop financial, relationship and balancing skills.
In an effort to remedy social and economic voids in Urban America, Bishop Jakes founded the Metroplex Economic Development Corporation in 1998. The nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation has sponsored home ownership conferences and youth mentorship programs.Currently, MEDC is developing a job placement center, a skills training center, a small business counseling hotline and a housing development that will include affordable homes for senior citizens and single-parent families.
Additional endeavors to improve society include building two Habitat for Humanity homes in conjunction with the 2003 ManPower conference and making a $107,000 donation to relocate Dallas citizens from an economically and environmentally disadvantaged area. The Potter’s House was also responsible for building a hospital in Belize, Central America, named Belmopan to whom they later sent $400,000 for medical supplies. Bishop Jakes and The Potter’s House invested over $500,000 in outreach to prison inmates. Their “Adopt A Prison” program has impacted inmates giving them a way to reduce the rate of recidivism through spiritual support and a network of churches who have awareness to the plight of
inmates reentering the system.
He is also the founder of T.D. Jakes Enterprises, through which he employs his other aptitudes as author, songwriter and playwright. A renowned religious author with 30 books to his credit; Bishop Jakes’ works have been featured on Christian, secular and business bestseller lists. His top five nonfiction bestsellers are: Maximize the Moment; Woman, Thou Art Loosed; The Lady, Her Lover and Her Lord; The Great Investment: Faith, Family and Finance and God’s Leading Lady, which has peaked at #4 on the New York Times Hardcover Advice List. He released his first novel, Cover Girls, in the summer of 2003, and later that year; he released Follow the Star, a compilation of Bishop Jakes’ personal Christmas stories. His latest book He-Motions, which is currently #10 on the New York Times Bestseller List, is a tool for both men and women written with intimate personal stories and painful lessons he learned through life. His best-selling book, Woman Thou Art Loosed, has finally come to the big screen debuting in 400 theaters across the nation and winning the 2004 Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Bishop Jakes has developed business partnerships with Sony, EMI, Time Warner, Warner, Rueben Cannon Productions, Clear Channel, Thomas Nelson Publishing and a host of other highly respected companies. His theatre production company, Touchdown Concepts, created and produced the Christian plays “Woman, Thou Art Loosed” and “Behind Closed Doors.” Both became number one gospel plays in the United States. Recently his advocacy for women’s rights enabled him to develop the cinema production “Woman, Thou Art Loosed,” with Rueben Cannon Productions. The movie is based on his book “Woman, Thou Art Loosed,” and speaks out against domestic violence while encouraging women to rise above injustices. Bishop Jakes also operates Dexterity Sounds, a music label in collaboration with EMI Gospel Music that develops music with a divine message. The label has produced eight albums, five of which have received Grammy nominations. The album, “A Wing and a Prayer” featuring Bishop Jakes and The Potter’s House Mass Choir, received a 2004 Grammy award in the “Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album” category. His album “T.D. Jakes presents Follow the Star” also received a nomination in the category of “Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.”
He is also the founder of T.D. Jakes Enterprises, through which he employs his other aptitudes as author, songwriter and playwright. A renowned religious author with 30 books to his credit; Bishop Jakes’ works have been featured on Christian, secular and business bestseller lists. His top five nonfiction bestsellers are: Maximize the Moment; Woman, Thou Art Loosed; The Lady, Her Lover and Her Lord; The Great Investment: Faith, Family and Finance and God’s Leading Lady, which has peaked at #4 on the New York Times Hardcover Advice List. He released his first novel, Cover Girls, in the summer of 2003, and later that year; he released Follow the Star, a compilation of Bishop Jakes’ personal Christmas stories. His latest book He-Motions, which is currently #10 on the New York Times Bestseller List, is a tool for both men and women written with intimate personal stories and painful lessons he learned through life. His best-selling book, Woman Thou Art Loosed, has finally come to the big screen debuting in 400 theaters across the nation and winning the 2004 Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Bishop Jakes has developed business partnerships with Sony, EMI, Time Warner, Warner, Rueben Cannon Productions, Clear Channel, Thomas Nelson Publishing and a host of other highly respected companies. His theatre production company, Touchdown Concepts, created and produced the Christian plays “Woman, Thou Art Loosed” and “Behind Closed Doors.” Both became number one gospel plays in the United States. Recently his advocacy for women’s rights enabled him to develop the cinema production “Woman, Thou Art Loosed,” with Rueben Cannon Productions. The movie is based on his book “Woman, Thou Art Loosed,” and speaks out against domestic violence while encouraging women to rise above injustices. Bishop Jakes also operates Dexterity Sounds, a music label in collaboration with EMI Gospel Music that develops music with a divine message. The label has produced eight albums, five of which have received Grammy nominations. The album, “A Wing and a Prayer” featuring Bishop Jakes and The Potter’s House Mass Choir, received a 2004 Grammy award in the “Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album” category.
His album “T.D. Jakes presents Follow the Star” also received a nomination in the category of “Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. http://www.godsleadingladies.com/_downloads/bio_td_jakes.pdf
Mercy Saw Me
Bishop T.D. Jakes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The city forecast only predicts rain
And how drops fall softly down my cheek
Reminds me how I saw you just last week
Mercy on me for my lie
Lay your worries down tonight
Nothing is a permanent rideThe End of us will come in time
I wanted to scream
I wanted to shout
I wanted to drown you out
I wanted to live for now
I just want to be
Why can't you leave
You love to torture me
With all our memories
With all our
With all our memories
The rain has cleared the space inside my head
I'm standing by where my decisions led
I cant simply ignore the space inside my bed
Now i know i choose myself instead
But still i wanna scream
Oh i wanna shout
Maybe one day i will drown you out
But i'll let it hurt for now
Let the memories dance aroundTil the taste of ur lips don't linger on my mouth
No more longing to scream
No more pleading to shout
Now I can float it out
I'm living for now
I can just be
Happy with peace
There is no memory
That can call out to me
In the first stanza, the singer expresses a sense of emotional heaviness and sorrow, indicated by the forecast of rain mirroring their tears. The mention of seeing someone recently and the plea for mercy may suggest a struggle with a broken relationship or personal conflict. The idea of the city forecast predicting rain can symbolize a sense of gloom and sadness that the singer is experiencing. The soft drops falling on the cheek could represent both physical rain and emotional tears, highlighting the deep impact of the recent encounter.
The chorus of the song focuses on pleading for mercy despite a past lie, indicating a sense of remorse or guilt. The singer acknowledges the impermanence of life and relationships, recognizing that an end is inevitable. This could reflect on the consequences of actions taken and the need for forgiveness and closure. The theme of letting go of worries and accepting the passage of time is prominent in this part of the song.
In the following verses, the singer expresses a mix of emotions, ranging from wanting to scream and shout to a desire to find peace and move on. The references to drowning out memories and living in the present moment suggest a struggle with lingering feelings and the difficulty of letting go. The rain clearing the singer's head signifies a moment of clarity and realization, leading to a decision to prioritize self-preservation and personal growth over past regrets and heartache.
The resolution in the later verses reflects a shift towards acceptance and healing. The singer acknowledges the pain and memories but chooses to let go and focus on finding inner peace. The desire to no longer be haunted by the past and to live in the present moment signals a journey towards self-discovery and emotional freedom. The closing lines convey a sense of liberation and contentment, indicating a newfound sense of inner strength and resilience. The repetition of "I can just be" and the rejection of past memories show a sense of empowerment and readiness to embrace a new chapter devoid of past regrets and pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Not that I have much here left to say
I'm running out of things to express about my current emotional state.
The city forecast only predicts rain
The atmosphere around me feels gloomy and heavy, as if sadness is all that lies ahead.
And how drops fall softly down my cheek
Tears flow gently down my face, a physical manifestation of my sorrow.
Reminds me how I saw you just last week
The pain as I reflect on our recent encounter, which still weighs on my heart.
Mercy on me for my lie
I plea for forgiveness for the deception that has caused pain to myself and others.
Lay your worries down tonight
Take a moment to relax and release the burdens that have been weighing you down.
Nothing is a permanent ride
Everything in life is temporary; our experiences and emotions will eventually pass.
The End of us will come in time
The conclusion of our relationship is inevitable and will arrive when the time is right.
I wanted to scream
I felt an overwhelming urge to express my pain and frustration vocally.
I wanted to shout
I craved to voice my feelings loudly, seeking release from my inner turmoil.
I wanted to drown you out
I wished to silence the thoughts and reminders of you that haunt my mind.
I wanted to live for now
I yearned to focus on the present moment, savoring life without the weight of past memories.
I just want to be
All I desire is to exist authentically, without conflict or interference.
Why can't you leave
I question why you continue to linger in my thoughts and heart when I seek closure.
You love to torture me
Your presence and memories strike me with pain, causing ongoing suffering.
With all our memories
Every shared experience between us is a painful reminder of what was once cherished.
With all our
Acknowledging the significance of our shared past.
With all our memories
The countless moments we've had together continue to haunt me.
The rain has cleared the space inside my head
The storm of emotions has subsided, allowing for clarity in my thoughts.
I'm standing by where my decisions led
I reflect on the outcomes of my choices, contemplating their impact on my current situation.
I can't simply ignore the space inside my bed
The emptiness beside me serves as a constant reminder of your absence.
Now I know I choose myself instead
I've come to the realization that my own well-being must take precedence over the relationship.
But still I wanna scream
Despite my progress, I still feel an urge to express my pent-up emotions.
Oh I wanna shout
The need to release my feelings remains strong within me.
Maybe one day I will drown you out
I hold hope that one day I can fully silence the memories of you.
But I'll let it hurt for now
I accept my pain as a necessary part of healing during this period.
Let the memories dance around
I allow the thoughts of our past to swirl in my mind without forcing them away.
Til the taste of your lips don't linger on my mouth
I will endure this pain until the strongest connections and memories of you fade away.
No more longing to scream
I have reached a point where I no longer feel the urgent need to express my turmoil.
No more pleading to shout
The desperation to release my feelings has diminished.
Now I can float it out
I feel a sense of release and can let go of my emotions more easily now.
I'm living for now
I am finally focusing on the present life rather than being burdened by the past.
I can just be
I find solace in simply existing without the weight of my history.
Happy with peace
I am content and at ease with my current state of mind.
There is no memory
I am beginning to detach from the past experiences that once held me captive.
That can call out to me
I refuse to let any memory pull me back into sorrow or regret.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Gabriel Dillon, Hannah De Guzman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LucyJ-vs6ir
THANK YOU, JESUS FOR YOUR MERCY 🙌😭😭😭😭😭
@jonelleg9941
2025 and this song is SUCH a blessing STILL
@Tenioh-d2l
Mercy saw me 🙏🏾 who’s listening in September 2024 🙌🏾
@walterreansalley3410
@Tenioh-d21.
I am. Just couldn't resist coming back again. I love it. This particular artist does an amazing job with this song. I hope that I don't wear out my welcome. Lol. 🤷☺️😊😇❤❤❤
@anyhootyepo654
Minister in song
@J.GraceMcNeish
Awesome. This is truly a ministry - music. This speaks to the heart of many. Highest praise and honor to God, our Father through King Jesus, The Christ❤❤❤
@1Dacy
Listened to this song as a child, and I'm blessed by it till this day. 🙏 😢. Listening 2nd December 2024
@RJ-ek7ov
16th of Dec ❤
@OkoromaChikaraMorgan
Lord, have mercy upon me
@ivyndlovu5926
Whenever this Song I cry with Great Joy to the Mercy of God and really God is really so owesome he always rescue me in helpless situations. Now I relax because when, I am about to CRUSH that is where he comes in and save the situation in my life no matter how difficult, painful it is. Mercy just rescue when I have lost my dignity, no one to talk too. He is my Reedemer. HE LIVES😅